An Indonesian court has upheld a death sentence for a British woman convicted of smuggling $2.5 million worth of cocaine onto the island of Bali.

Convicted drug smuggler Lindsay June Sandiford of Britain has had her death sentence upheld by an appeal court in Indonesia

By:Associated Press, Published on Mon Apr 08 2013

BALI, INDONESIA—An Indonesian court has upheld a death sentence for a British woman convicted of smuggling $2.5 million worth of cocaine onto the resort island of Bali, a court official said Monday.

The Bali High Court rejected an appeal from Lindsay June Sandiford, 56, who was convicted in January by a district court and sentenced to face a firing squad, said court spokesman Makkasau.

The decision on her appeal came last week, and Sandiford has 14 days to appeal that ruling to the national Supreme Court, said Makkasau, who, like many Indonesians, uses only one name.

Sandiford was arrested last May when 3.8 kilograms of cocaine was discovered stuffed inside the lining of her luggage at Bali’s airport. During the trial, she said she was forced to carry the drugs by a gang that threatened to hurt her children.

The court surprised many by issuing a death sentence — prosecutors had only sought 15 years in prison for Sandiford.

“We are disappointed to hear Lindsay Sandiford’s appeal has been refused by the High Court in Bali,” said Adam Rutland, spokesman for the British Embassy in Jakarta. “The U.K. strongly opposes the death penalty and has repeatedly made representations to the Indonesian government on this matter.”

Four other defendants connected to the case — three Britons and an Indian — were sentenced to jail terms ranging from one to six years.

Indonesia has very strict anti-drug laws. Most of the more than 40 foreigners on its death row were convicted of drug charges.